Page 4 - The Islander - February '23

Page 4, The Islander

northern noteS

Dispose Of Plastic Bags Properly

So They Don’t End Up In Our Waterways

By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

Americans use about More locally, plastic bags can get caught and
100 billion plastic bags a damage aerator motors and stormwater pumps. Aerator
year. These include plastic maintenance costs are higher because of plastic bag debris.
grocery, shopping, food Recently an aerator required repair due to damage from
storage, yard fertilizer a plastic bag. The bag was drawn into the motor of the
and pet waste disposal aerator and wrapped around the spinning shaft, causing
bags. Plastic bags are the engine to freeze up and burn out. It also burnt out the
so lightweight and electrical lines and cabling attached to the motor. After
aerodynamic that even if we all of the repairs were completed, including replacing 250
dispose of them properly, feet of cabling, that one plastic bag caused over $4,000 in
they can get misplaced. or thousands of years to decompose – and in the damages to the aerator.
They escape from our trash meantime, wreak havoc on the environment. On beaches, Stormwater pumps must function optimally to provide
cans, garbage trucks and landfills and go where the microplastics are visible as tiny multicolored plastic bits proper drainage following rain events and storms. They are
wind takes them – into storm drains, canals, lakes, and in the sand. In the oceans, microplastic pollution is often critical to many of the stormwater systems in our area. If
eventually, the ocean. consumed by marine animals. debris gets caught in them, the motors can also burn out
Plastic bags Microplastics have been detected in marine organisms, and not work properly when most needed. The pumps
remain toxic even from plankton to whales, commercial seafood, and used are submersed in several feet of water. They are not
after they break drinking water. Alarmingly, standard water treatment easily able to be inspected from above the water. When
down. They don’t facilities cannot remove all traces of microplastics. To debris caught in the motor is discovered, the damage may
biodegrade; they further complicate matters, microplastics in the ocean can already be done.
photodegrade. That bind with other harmful chemicals before being ingested If you choose to use plastic bags, please dispose of them
means that after by marine organisms. Scientists are still unsure whether properly and securely. Please do not throw them in the
sunlight breaks them consumed microplastics are harmful to human or animal waterways. This request not only pertains to shopping
down; they degrade, health – and, if so, what specific dangers they may pose. bags, but includes fertilizer bags, pet waste disposal bags
breaking down into Besides the environmental aspects of plastic, plastic and food storage bags. Properly placing them in a secure
smaller and smaller bags in particular can cause damage to stormwater receptacle could help keep our stormwater systems and,
pieces, until they can drainage systems. Plastic bags can clog storm drains and ultimately, our waterways clear.
ultimately enter the waterways, threatening urban environments and creating NPDES tip: Storms occur all year round. Make sure
food chain. These tiny severe safety hazards. Drainage systems blocked by plastic your yards and trees are trimmed neatly to avoid flying
particles of plastic are bags have been identified as a major cause of flooding debris during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and
called microplastics, in countries like India and Bangladesh during monsoon clippings properly. Do not put them into storm drains
officially defined season. or lakes!
as plastics less than
five millimeters (0.2
inches) in diameter Charity event from page 1
– smaller than the
standard pearl used in Hospital – where he
jewelry. There are two categories of microplastics: primary will one day have heart
and secondary. surgery. Pictured are
Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for some photos from the
commercial use, such as cosmetics, or microfibers shed from event, which took place
clothing and other textiles, such as fishing nets. Secondary on Dec. 2 at Madison
microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of Green Country Club
larger plastic items, such as water bottles. This breakdown in Royal Palm Beach.
is caused by exposure to environmental factors, mainly the The day consisted of an
sun’s radiation and ocean waves. 18-hole shotgun start,
Single-use plastics – plastic items meant to be used just a delicious catered
once and then discarded, such as a straw or plastic bag – are lunch, raffle prizes and Chris Altopiedi of Sloane
the primary source of secondary plastics in the environment. more, with over 100 Mike Peck Staffing
Some of this environmental pollution is from littering. Still, golfers and volunteers Max Spanier Jr. and Yamit
many of the plastics in waterways result from storms, water in attendance to enjoy Azrad of Sloane Staffing
runoff, and winds that carry plastic – both intact objects and the activities.
microplastics – into our waterways and oceans. The Sloane Staffing annual charity golf tournament
The problem with microplastics is that they do not started in 2020, when small business owners Max and
readily break down into harmless molecules just like Lindsey Spanier were looking for a way to give back to
plastic items of any size. Plastics can take hundreds their local community. This fun event has turned into
an opportunity to raise funds for local charities – with
Southern Exposure Technologies this year’s funds being distributed to support programs
Computer Install/Setup/Repair and projects focused on the health and well-being of
children and families.
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